Table of Contents
- The ozone layer is a region in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high concentrations of ozone and protects the earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun.
- The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of the Earth’s stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun’s Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
- It is a layer in the earth’s stratosphere that contains high levels of ozone.
- This layer protects the earth from the Sun’s harmful UV radiation. It absorbs 97 – 99% of the UV radiation from the Sun.
- In the absence of the ozone layer, millions of people would be affected by skin diseases including cancer and weakened immune systems.
- UV radiation would also affect the environment adversely leading to decreased productivity.
- Fauna on earth is also adversely affected by the ozone layer depletion.
- Scientists have discovered a hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic. This has focussed their concern on various environmental issues and steps to control them. The main reasons for the ozone hole are chlorofluorocarbons, carbon tetrachloride, methyl bromide and hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
- Ozone layer depletion is the gradual thinning of the earth’s ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused due to the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous bromine or chlorine from industries or other human activities.
Depletion
- This happens when the chlorine and bromine atoms in the atmosphere come in contact with ozone and destroy the ozone molecules. One chlorine can destroy 100,000 molecules of ozone. It is destroyed more quickly than it is created.
- Montreal Protocol was proposed in 1987 to stop the use, production and import of ozone-depleting substances and minimize their concentration in the atmosphere to protect the ozone layer of the earth.
Causes
- Chlorofluorocarbons
- Unregulated Rocket Launches
- Nitrogenous Compounds
Effects
- Effects on Human Health
- Effects on Animals
- Effects on the Environment
- Effects on Marine Life
International efforts to reduce Ozone Depletion
- Montreal Protocol
- Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol
Mitigation
- Avoid Using Pesticides
- Minimize the Use of Vehicles
- Use Eco-friendly Cleaning Products
- Use of Nitrous Oxide should be Prohibited
- The continued adherence is key to any environmental action to ensure that the problem doesn’t return.
- The recent detection of the ‘rogue’ production of CFC-11, one of the most powerful ozone-depleting gases, is a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and continued scientific investigations.
- There must be finance and technology transfer from developed countries to developing countries.
- Research and development in refrigerating technologies should be undertaken to find a replacement i.e. a non-ozone depleting substance having minimal global warming potential.
- It’s high time that environmental issues like ozone depletion should become part of public discourse, in this light civil society can help raise public awareness.
- In pursuance of SDG 13, i.e. to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts, addressing climate change and global warming needs to the clubbed with safeguarding ozone. Therefore, Ozone day cannot be about Ozone alone anymore.
- Largest Ozone Hole Ever Recorded over North Pole Has Now ‘Healed Itself’ and Closed. This was announced by Scientists who were tracking the hole at Copernicus’ Atmospheric Monitoring Service (CAMS).
- The ozone hole became the largest one ever recorded in the Arctic region spanning an area of over 620,000 square miles (or 997793.28 kms). It was formed due to unusual climatic conditions.
- According to the scientists the closure of the hole is not due to the reduced pollution levels due to COVID-19 lock down.
- The closing was because of a phenomenon called the polar vortex.
- It is described as a whirling cone of low pressure over the poles that is strongest in the winter months due to the increased temperature contrast between the polar regions and the mid-latitudes, such as the US and Europe.
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